DCVB Executive Director Scott Dring said the Bureau has collaborated with the Dublin business community including hotels, restaurants, retail, attractions, etc. to create a Dublin Hospitality Industry Restart Plan. The goal is to implement a unified sales and marketing effort to restart the Dublin Hospitality Industry and local economy while recovering lost jobs and revenue for the City of Dublin.

City Council approved the funding utilizing unearned economic development incentives in the General Fund, and structured the commitment to maximize the likelihood of reimbursement under the CARES Act, including a new appropriation and professional services agreement between the DCVB and City.

“The Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau and the entire Dublin Hospitality Industry is appreciative of Dublin City Council’s ongoing support,” said Scott Dring, executive director at the Bureau. “This collaborative Plan will help jumpstart the Dublin economy while recovering lost jobs and revenue for the City of Dublin.”

More than 70 percent of Dublin’s Hospitality Industry jobs have been lost since March along with tens of millions of dollars to the local economy. The Bureau will be working with Experience Columbus, Ohio Tourism Division and several national organizations to leverage efforts taking place on the regional, statewide and national levels.

Council also approved $360,000 city hotel/motel bed tax dollars for financial operating support for the Dublin Arts Council (DAC). Council will also forgive lease payments on the Dublin Arts Council Center building, owned by the City, through December 2020. The financial commitment is structured to maximize the likelihood of reimbursement under the CARES Act, including a new appropriation and professional services agreement between the DAC and City

2020 Bed Tax Grants

Council unanimously approved taking the following policy position on 2020 Bed Tax grants:

For events cancelled due to COVID19, events will be eligible to receive reimbursements for expenditures as specified in the grant application;

Funds appropriated for events held in 2020 will not be permitted to be rolled over to future years.

Beautify Your Neighborhood Grants

Council postponed the decision to award these grants until August 2020.

Small Commercial Leases in City-Owned Buildings

Council voted on the following city-owned lease payments.

Subway – located in the Dublin Community Recreation Center, Council will forgive all lease payments while the building remains closed to the public.

Dublin Village Tavern – Council will forgive the lease payments for three months; Reevaluate this loan forgiveness prior to the end of the three-month period for additional consideration.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce – Council will forgive the lease payments for three months; reevaluate this loan forgiveness prior to the end of the three-month period for additional consideration.

Council authorized the City Manager to take the actions necessary to modify all these lease agreements as necessary to execute lease forgiveness.